Allotments and Babies

[Magnolia]

Hi there,
I have recently taken on an allotment - quarter plot so quite manageable and recently worked.  I also have a 9wk old baby that has to come with me to the plot.

I have tried wearing my baby in a sling but find that back breaking.  So I'm now putting her in the pram and wrapping her up well.

At the moment I dont have any tools at the plot, no canes or anything to make raised beds etc - all this is in the shed at home.  It's taking quite a bit of prep to get to the plot, remembering everything I need but this will improve once I have everything moved down there - no shed at the moment tho.  I'm also finding that each job is taking far longer than it would if baby wasnt with me.  She feeds every 2 hours and I'm stopping a lot to rock the pram when she crys.

Just wondering how other parents/carers manage with babies when at their allotments.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated .  Cheers, J.

[Magnolia]

[asbean]

The young couple on the site near us used to put the baby on the ground wrapped in an anorak. When she needed feeding the mum just stopped digging to feed her.  She's now running round the plot with her elder brother "helping" with the digging and watering.

[nilly71]

I have a one year old daughter and would love to take her but it's just been to cold and she would get restless in her buggy.

Is there anyway to make a wind mobile, maybe some old cd's strung up above her pram so the wind blows them, it might keep her occupied for a while.

Good luck with the plot and keeping your baby with you.

Neil

[Tulipa]

Hi Magnolia

Congratulations on your new baby daughter, enjoy her, she will grow up so quickly - bet you can't imagine that at the moment but it's true!

I know you said you had tried a sling, have you tried tying her on your back?  I had a friend who just did everything with her baby tied on her back as she was not happy when away from her Mum, it would mean you can dig more and carry your stuff to the plot easier.  I know it sounds very earth motherish, but it might be worth a try.  Although she may need to be able to hold her head up first perhaps - it is a while since I had mine!!

Do you have anyone who could take her for a walk in her pram while you dig?

While it doesn't feel it at the moment, it is only a short while until she will happliy sit in a buggy and watch you or sleep while you are digging.

Good luck with your allotment but don't get stressed about it, just pop some black plastic down if you can't get it all done.

take care

T.

[thifasmom]

i second the carrying of the baby on your back not sure what type of sling you were using so you may have already tried this. i slinged my kids on my back and my second daughter was carried in an ergo baby carrier from 3 months old but i must admit they were both big babies and at 3 months my second was already 20lbs and very long so her head was in the right place to carry her on my back in the ergo (this sling can also be used front and side).

this site is very good for how to turn house hold stuff into baby slings, which allows you to try different holds without spending money on a sling in a similar style that you find out later doesnot suit you.

http://www.mamatoto.org/

this is another site you might find useful, these moms get together about monthly to try outslings between each other gives you the chance to try a sling again before you buy it.

http://www.slingmeet.co.uk/

there are also sling libraries just google it you may find there is a group in your area.

hope this helps, goodluck and happy growing both the veg and your babe :D.

PS yes I'm one of those earth motherish people ;).

[Eristic]

Don't leave it under the gooseberry bushes. 8)

[asbean]

A stork might bring another one  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

[ACE]

I don't really want to answer this as it brings back bad memories of a friend who used the sling. On uneven ground you are likely to trip with devistating results. So please be very careful.

On a lighter note though, trim your wheelbarrow witha bit of lace, tools, baby, all the bits you need. 'Bobs your uncle' ;D

[Vortex]

If you go to oriental and asian countries you'll find the women working in the fields all day long with babies slug on their backs ...
I spent 6 months in Korea and was always amazed to see them even when the temperature was only in the low 50's (Fahrenheit)
I can't comment on how the slings are constructed though other than they appear to be like a tight waisted coat.

[lewic]

I would second Ace's advice on the sling. Have slipped many a time on my plot.

This might sound barmy but perhaps you could get a fishing/play tent and set it up in the baby's bedroom and get her used to sleeping in it. Then bring it (or another one like it) to the allotment so she feels like she is at home.

[Tulipa]

Yes, I hadn't thought about the slipping problem. :-[

I quite like the idea of a tent, you can get those tents that protect from the sun too, which might be useful if we are really lucky....

My son plays cricket and I have a friend with a young daughter who hates having to go but she takes a tent and pops her in it and she plays happily, forgetting where she is!  Might be a thought for the future.

When my sons were little they used to lie in their prams and watch the leaves on the trees blowing in the breeze, seemed to lull them off to sleep too.

Hope you find something that helps Magnolia. :)

take care

T.

[saddad]

I have a pic somewhere of my youngest asleep in a wheelbarrow... he's 16 this time!!  :o

[Magnolia]

Thank you for all the really useful suggestions.  I wasn't expecting such a response.  The tent idea is a good one and one I will probably use in the summer. 

I can see the potential danger of using a sling on an allotment so take on board your concerns.

We took Ava to the allotment on Saturday and it didn't work out as she woke up and crying commenced!  It was also freezing.  Had to come home in the end without getting the jobs done.  We've managed to turn the earth and the beds are ready for planting but I had wanted to set my raised beds up and get a compost bin built.  The raised beds are not essential as I'll still be able to plant my seedlings directly into the ground.  I'll build the beds once Ava becomes a bit bigger and can entertain herself.

Will have to get hubby to dig the trenches for spuds but I reckon I can manage the rest with short visits as I'll grow all my seedlings at home.

Little and often.  Thanks again for all the suggestions, J.

[timnsal]

The only thing with tents is that they can get very hot in the summer. My kids used to play in one when they were small, and it got quite suffocating at times. You'd need to make sure it had some ventilation, or put it in the shade.

I'm really impressed at you getting to the plot at all with a 9 week old. Well done. I'd never have managed it.

Sally

[Mrs Ava]

It is a toughy for sure.  When our daughter was born, we had 2 plots with my mum and dad and hubby and dad created a safe area for her.  It was a level patch and they put a fence of recycled louvre doors around it.  In the shed we kept picnic rugs and carpet and used to put that on the grass and a pub brolly to shade her.  Of course, this was in the summer, and she would lie there and snooze quite happily.  We did string toys up and had lots of toys in the 'pen' with her.  You soon learn to work in short spells, and you work darn hard in those brief moments.  By the time winter came we would just snuggle her up in her pram and park her up somewhere sheltered.  She would cry, but I didn't always run to her, and would plan what I needed to do per visit, not what I wanted to do, then, if she let me get the essentials done, I could move on to the other jobs.

[Plot69]

Just wondering how other parents/carers manage with babies when at their allotments.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated .  Cheers, J.

I'm a foster carer. I take all six with me, give them a bucket each and I pay 10p for each bucket full of weeds and 20p for each bucket full of stones.

Initially it cost me a fortune but now my two plots are both in pristine condition  ;D